pipemakersforum.com

Whatever you do, don't get one of these. It's utter crap:
http://www.grizzly.com/products/Belt-Sa ... -30-/H3140

I use cheaper version of this, sold by Harbor Frieght for $29, to do just about everything.

Dosen't a stem like this require a tapered mortise?

Make sure the vise is firmly clamped in place. The vise and drill press table must not move for the entire drilling procedure. Carefully set the height of the table so that you'll be able to change bits without adjusting the table. The sides of the block should be made parrallel. One side of the blo...

Great lookin pipe. A curved shank is not an easy thing to accomplish, nicely done.

sleeve mortise with 3/8" delrin.

Does anyone have any pictures of tumbled pipes? Can you use a tumbler of the type designed for cartridge casings?

Friggin Awesome!

The Mountain Laurel is a wild tree that is native to the U.S. and has a burl that is suitable for pipemaking. It grows all over the place around me. I believe that U.S. pipe factories used it at one time. I thought about trying to use it. However, the process of boiling blocks and then properly curi...

Thanks to everyone who took the time to offer their critique. I have a strong personel prefenence for a flat wide bit. I agree that the flare is to abrupt. I will need to sacrafice some width to correct this. I will try to address some of the problems and post some pics of the revised pipe.

I think the stem is a bit long for a pipe with such a short shank. I would prefer if the taper began at the stem shank juncture. I think the untapered area of stem gives the illusion that stem is fatter than the shank. I also like a taper that is nearly straight as opposed to sloping toward the butt...

I like your video idea. I think the video could be improved with better lighting, contasting background, and if you held the pipe in profile for a short time. Maybe, you should set the pipe down and then reposition. So, we can get an unobstructed view of the pipe. Nice pipe.

Here is my 18th pipe. Ebonite and delrin. The ebonite is crap, hence lousey bend and poor finish on stem. I am awaiting the vendors reply. Hopefully, they will accept my return and I won't need to bad mouth them on this forum. I welcome criticism, comments and suggestions. thanks http://i10.photobuc...

Are the jaws interchangable between chucks of different manufacture? I have a cheapo PSI chuck. Am I stuck with the jaws offered by PSI?

What is the difference between catalin and bakelite rod? Where do you purchase bakelite rod? What is the cost? Why would I want to use bakelite as opposed to other stem materials? Is it durable? The bakelite items I have experience with (old electrical stuff) has been brittle, is the new stuff diffe...

Kim, I like the looks of those jaws, who distributes them? The jaws that I have are serrated but have are larger inner radius. The ones you have pictured appear nearly flat.
http://www.pennstateind.com/popup_large ... WS&count=1

I use the tower jaws. I often find it necessary to glue a piece of wood to the briar block in order to get a good grip. If one the gripping surfaces of the curved jaw falls over the edge of the block, I can't get the block to chuck squarely. Anyone else doing something similar?

Todd, Thanks for the compliment and great technical advice.

Thanks to everyone who has left comments. It's amazing the seemingly obvious errors that I don't see until they are pointed out to me. I don't think there is anything that can be done to correct the bulge at the boo-shank juncture, without sanding into the bamboo. I agree with Kurt's comments also. ...

I purchased 1 meter of ebonite from a new supplier. I was enticed by a very low price. I just used the first bit of it on my last pipe and I'm not pleased. Previously I have used ebonite from PME and have had no problems. This material I have not been able to get a good finish. The surface is covere...

This is my 17th pipe and first use of bamboo. Thanks for your comments or criticisms. http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a131/babidius/100_5696.jpg http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a131/babidius/100_5697.jpg http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a131/babidius/100_5700.jpg http://i10.photobucket.com/albu...